RESULTS OF THE WORLDWIDE SURVEY OF FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2019

The annual survey
of fitness trends released by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is
now in its 13th year and, as always, there have been some fascinating results.

The global survey
is based on information provided by more than 2,000 professionals working in a
diverse range of sectors, including personal trainers, managers of sports
centres and training providers.

Trends were
ranked on a scale of one to 10, with one being least likely to be a trend and
10 being most likely.

If you’d like to
look back at previous years, you can search for details of the ACSM top trends
for 2013-2018 on our blog site.

The 2019 survey
has seen several new trends enter the top 20, including: Worksite Health
Promotion and Workplace Well-being, Outcome Measurements, Postrehabilitation
Classes and Small Group Personal Training.

The top three fitness trends

The top fitness
trend for 2019 was Wearable Technology.
This trend was number one in 2016 and 2017 but last year fell to number three
before bouncing back to the top spot for 2019. Wearable Technology is useful
for tracking everything from heart rate and sitting time to calories burned.

Wearable Technology swapped places with last year’s top trend, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which has moved to number three. This trend has been around for a while now, topping the survey in 2014, showing its ongoing popularity as a training method with personal trainers and fitness instructors (see our blog on How a Personal Trainer can use interval training). This is despite some fitness professionals expressing concerns about possible increased risk of injury associated with this kind of fast, intensive training.

Meanwhile, Group Training has held its place at
number two on the list. A distinction has now been made between Group Training,
which covers classes such as aerobics, spinning and step, and Small Group Personal Training (which
features on the list for the first time at number 19).

Trends four and five

This year’s
number four trend is Fitness Programs
for Older Adults, which has jumped several places from number nine last
year. This trend recognises that many among our ageing population are keen to
keep active, whether joining fitness classes or working with a personal
trainer.

At five, we have Bodyweight Training, which has slipped
slightly in the ratings over the past few years but remains in the top five.
Bodyweight exercises can be carried out with little or no equipment, making it
an inexpensive option. Often using movements in different planes, it’s a functional
option that improves strength and flexibility, and trains subjects to better
manage everyday activities.

The rest of the top 10

Trend six has essentially remained the same, although Educated, Certified and Experienced Fitness Professionals has been renamed Employing Certified Fitness Professionals to provide a more precise definition. As a company offering courses for personal trainers and fitness instructors, CMS is pleased to see the importance of professional qualifications in the top 10 of the ACSM list (see our blog on What qualifications do I need to become a PT?).

Yoga has held its place at number seven on the list of trends. Yoga classes are varied and suitable for a wide range of fitness and ability. As well as developing strength and flexibility, yoga can also help with relaxation and wellbeing (see our blog on Yoga and mental health).

Another non-mover
is Personal Training at number
eight; a trend that has appeared in the top 10 of the list since 2006, when the
first survey was revealed. Working with a qualified and experienced personal
trainer remains a popular way for individuals to improve and maintain their
fitness.

At number nine
this year is Functional Fitness Training,
up one place from number 10 in 2018. Functional Fitness Training can cross over
with other kinds of training, such as strength training and bodyweight
training, as the focus is on improving strength, endurance, coordination and
balance in order to better manage the activities we carry out in everyday life,
such as carrying shopping or running for a bus.

Finally, at
number 10 this year: Exercise Is
Medicine (EIM), a global health initiative aimed at health care providers.
It promotes the importance of assessing the physical capabilities of patients
during medical visits, and recommending exercise with professionals as part of
their treatment.

The ACSM’s Health
and Fitness Journal (November/December 2018) published an article taking a
closer look at these results. If you’d like to find out more, take a look at
the online Worldwide Survey of Fitness
Trends for 2019.

The top 20 for 2019

Wearable Technology

Group Training

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Fitness Programs for Older Adults

Bodyweight Training

Employing Certified Fitness Professionals

Yoga

Personal Training

Functional Fitness Training

Exercise Is
Medicine

Health/Wellness
Coaching

Exercise for Weight
Loss

Mobile Exercise
Apps

Mobility/Myofascial
Devices

Worksite Health
Promotion and Workplace Well-being

Outcome Measurements

Outdoor Activities

Licensure for
Fitness Professionals

Small Group
Personal Training

Postrehabilitation
Classes

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